It looks like one of our biggest lockout fears has been realized: Claude Giroux has been injured in Germany.

In the second period of Friday's overtime loss to Krefeld Pinguine, Giroux was checked to the head by an unknown Krefeld player. Nobody was penalized on the play but Giroux left the game under his own power and was sent to the hospital by team doctors for evaluation. It seems like Giroux just stretched out his neck a bit and will be fine, but we'll have to wait and see how things progress over the next few days.

He won't play in Sunday's game against Kölner Haie but could potentially be back at practice on Tuesday according to Oliver Koch, the German hockey reporter who tipped us off to Giroux's injury. Koch also reports that Eisbären Berlin have sent video of the hit to the Deutsche Eishockey Liga for review.

Giroux tweeted on Saturday morning about the ongoing NHL lockout, his first public show of frustration with the work stoppage. Perhaps getting injured -- regardless of the severity -- while playing overseas has made him a bit salty.

Can anybody explain to me how 2 weeks of non-negotiating is going to bring the game back any faster? #vacayforbettman

— Claude Giroux (@28CGiroux) November 17, 2012

A request for comment from Giroux's agent, Pat Brisson, was not immediately returned. Calls to those in the Eisbären Berlin front office went unanswered, but it is Saturday night there. We'll report back if/when we hear more.